• Areas of expertise
  • |
  • About me
  • |
  • Principles as a lawyer
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Ideal partner
      • About lawyer Marian Härtel
      • Video series – about me
      • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
      • Principles as a lawyer
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Nerd und Rechtsanwalt
      • Ideal partner
      • How can I help clients?
    • Über die Kanzlei
      • How clients benefit from my network of colleagues, partners and service providers
      • Quick and flexible access
      • Agile and lean law firm
      • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
      • Price overview
    • How can I help clients?
    • Sonstige Informationen
      • Einwilligungen widerrufen
      • Privatsphäre-Einstellungen ändern
      • Historie der Privatsphäre-Einstellungen
      • Privacy policy
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Leistungen
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Support with the foundation
      • Games law consulting
      • Advice in e-commerce
      • Support and advice of agencies
      • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
      • Legal compliance and expert opinions
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Arbeitsschwerpunkte
      • Games and esports law
        • Esports. What is it?
      • Corporate law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Consulting for influencers and streamers
        • Influencer & Streamer
      • Contract review and preparation
      • DLT and Blockchain consulting
        • Blockchain Overview
      • Investment advice
      • AI and SaaS
  • Artikel/News
    • Langartikel / Guides
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Law on the Internet
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Online retail
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Labour law
    • Tax
    • Kanzlei News
    • Other
  • Videos/Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Podcast
      • ITMediaLaw Kurz-Podcast
  • Knowledge base
  • Contact
ITMediaLaw - Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel
Home Law on the Internet

Bots in Telegram, Twitch or Discord: responsibility and legal issues

8. September 2023
in Law on the Internet
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0 0
A A
0
robots 3338504 1280
Key Facts
  • Bots are omnipresent and play a variety of roles on platforms such as Telegram and Discord.
  • Liability for bot handling often remains unclear, especially in the context of copyright and data protection.
  • Users, channel operators and bot programmers may be liable in different ways depending on their use.
  • Bots that offer payment functions may require licenses in accordance with the German BankingAct (KWG).
  • The distribution of content by bots can quickly lead to copyright infringements.
  • Moderating bots affect personal rights and raise questions about censorship and responsibility.
  • An interdisciplinary approach combining law and technology is necessary to minimize legal risks.

Introduction

Content Hide
1. Introduction
2. Legal issues
3. Liability: user, channel operator or bot programmer?
4. Bots with payment functions
5. Bots that output content
6. Bots that moderate content and block users
7. Conclusion

Bots are as ubiquitous in today’s world as smartphones and social media. They take on different roles and are indispensable, especially on platforms like Telegram and Discord. Although they are often seen as harmless digital assistants, they harbor a wealth of legal challenges. In my previous articles I have dealt intensively with the legal situation of automation bots, especially in the environment of games like World of Warcraft. In the process, I have accompanied a number of court cases that have made it all the way to the Federal Constitutional Court. I have also written extensively on the legal aspects of artificial intelligence. What is still missing, however, is a close look at the legal issues that arise in the context of bots in chat programs. In Germany, a country with a complex legal system – from regulations in the German Civil Code (BGB) to the German Telemedia Act (TMG) – the question of liability for such bots often remains unclear. With this article, I would like to take a closer look at this gray area and provide users as well as developers and channel operators with a legal guide.

Legal issues

The uses for bots are many: they can generate text, share content, provide automatic responses, or even host games. In each of these cases, there are legal aspects that must be considered. Copyright infringements, data protection violations and other legal problems can quickly become a pitfall. German copyright law deserves special mention. Pursuant to Section 97 of the German Copyright Act (UrhG), claims for injunctive relief and damages could become relevant here. Data protection also plays a major role, with provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO) and the Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG) to be observed. The German Telemedia Act (TMG) is another important regulatory framework, as it sets out the liability for Internet service providers. However, the question of who is liable for bots used in chat programs such as Telegram and Discord or in other online communities remains particularly exciting. In these specific contexts, bots can not only be useful, but also pose risks that go beyond the general legal issues.

Liability: user, channel operator or bot programmer?

Who exactly is responsible for a bot’s actions is a complicated question, and the answer has far-reaching implications. In the context of criminal law, sections § 303a StGB (data alteration) and § 303b StGB (computer sabotage) could be applicable to users who use bots for illegal activities. For channel operators, the situation is different again. According to § 7 and § 8 of the German Telemedia Act (TMG), they could be liable as service providers, especially if they have knowledge of illegal activities and do not act. Bot programmers, on the other hand, could be prosecuted in extreme cases under Section 202a of the German Criminal Code (spying on data) or Section 202c of the German Criminal Code (preparing to spy on and intercept data) if the bot is programmed to intercept sensitive data.

The distinction between who is considered an “operator” is particularly relevant when it comes to data protection and inappropriate content. For example, the question arises whether Discord itself, as the provider of the platform, the channel operator, who must comply with Discord’s TOS, or the bot programmer, who may cache data on its own systems or aggregate external data using AI, is liable. In terms of data protection, this issue is of crucial importance, as different regulations and obligations may apply to the various parties involved. DSGVO and BDSG would come into play here and could create different obligations for the respective “operator”, depending on the case.

It gets even more complicated when the bot is offered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Here, the Bothersteller could cache data on its own servers, which could entail additional responsibilities. Or it aggregates data from external sources and outputs it to Discord. In such cases, the question of the bot programmer’s liability could come to the fore, especially if sensitive or personal data is involved.

Bots with payment functions

If a bot is used that enables payment transactions, the situation becomes significantly more complex. In Germany, the provision of financial services is strictly regulated. As a rule, anyone offering such services must hold a license pursuant to Section 32 of the German Banking Act (KWG). Therefore, in the case of a bot with payment functions, this paragraph could become relevant. But it gets even more complicated: Provisions of the Payment Services Supervision Act (Zahlungsdiensteaufsichtsgesetz, ZAG) could also be applied. Both channel operators and bot programmers should therefore be aware that in such cases they are not only liable under civil law, but also under regulatory requirements.

In addition to traditional payment options, the relevance of blockchain technologies is also increasing, for example in the form of tokenization. Anyone who programs a bot that trades tokens or cryptocurrencies is operating in a legal gray area. Depending on the design, there could even be regulatory requirements for the issuance of tokens, for example under the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG) or the German Investment Act (VermAnlG). This in turn may have implications for the liability of channel operators and bot programmers.

Tokenization can also be the subject of smart contracts in particular. In this context, §§ 705 et seq. BGB apply, which define the contract as such. The range of potential legal challenges is wide, making compliance with all relevant laws and regulations a complex task that requires expertise in multiple areas of law.

Bots that output content

Content distribution by bots can have a variety of legal implications, even if they are seemingly “simpler” bots. Copyright infringements could be punished here in accordance with § 97 UrhG. The dissemination of fake news or inflammatory content could be punishable under the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG). Furthermore, according to § 5 of the German Telemedia Act (TMG), there could be information obligations that may not be fulfilled by the bot. In Germany’s complex legal landscape, it is essential that both bot programmers and channel operators are fully aware of the potential legal pitfalls.

Legal pitfalls can lurk even in seemingly innocuous functions. A bot that shares tweets or articles, for example, could quickly infringe copyrights if not properly cited or licensed in the process. This can have consequences not only under civil law, but also under criminal law. Furthermore, the automatic generation and distribution of content could violate personal rights, for example through the unauthorized publication of photos or personal information. Claims under Section 823 of the German Civil Code (liability in tort) could become relevant here.

It is also possible that the AI behind such bots creates problematic content. This could create a whole host of legal problems, ranging from discrimination to defamation to torts. Therefore, it is critical for developers and operators to thoroughly understand the functionality of their bots and consider the potential legal consequences.

Bots that moderate content and block users

A bot taking on the role of moderator raises a host of other legal issues. When is blocking or deleting content justified and when is it censorship? In this context, the general personal rights pursuant to Article 1 and Article 2 of the Basic Law could be affected. The question of accountability for incorrect or inappropriate decisions made by the bot also remains an unsolved mystery. The German Telemedia Act (TMG) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) could also play a role, especially with regard to automated decision-making pursuant to Article 22 GDPR.

Contractual aspects should not be ignored here. A clear line has increasingly emerged in case law as to when the blocking of a user is to be regarded as an implied termination of a contract. Among other things, the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) of the respective service, but also legal provisions such as Section 314 of the German Civil Code (extraordinary termination in the event of loss of confidence) are used.

It is therefore not only a matter of immediate legal responsibility, but also a contractual matter with potentially long-term implications for all parties involved. In the event of a breach of the GTC by the bot, not only the bot operator but also the channel operator could be held liable. The combination of civil, data protection and contract law aspects makes the legal assessment of moderating bots a complex undertaking that requires careful consideration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the legal challenges around bots in chat programs and social platforms such as Telegram, Discord or Twitch are far-reaching and complex. We are moving in a gray area here that requires not only sound legal knowledge, but also a certain degree of technical understanding or, to put it casually, “nerddom”. The interfaces between civil law, criminal law, data protection and even contract law are manifold and often unclear.

Due to the involvement of various legal areas such as the TMG, UrhG, StGB and also the KWG in the case of bots with financial transactions, the legal situation is not infrequently opaque. In addition, there is not just one, but several actors who could potentially be held liable: from the user to the channel operator to the bot programmer.

Precisely because many legal issues have not been conclusively clarified, a pragmatic approach is needed to assess and minimize potential legal risks. In practice, this can mean thinking outside the legal box and dealing with the technical details of bot functionality.

A purely academic or theoretical examination of the legal issues would hardly be sufficient in this dynamic and technically demanding field. Here, both legal expertise and technical know-how are needed to untangle the complex and often interwoven issues. Therefore, all parties involved – whether lawyers, developers or operators – should be aware of the complexity of this issue and, if necessary, form interdisciplinary teams for the evaluation and implementation of legal requirements.

Tags: AGBBlockchainCase lawCivil lawContract lawContractsDamagesDeveloperDiscordEntscheidungenFederal constitutional courtGDPRGeneral Data Protection RegulationGermanyHaftungKIKündigungLawsLegal issuesLegal systemLizenzNetwork Enforcement ActPersonal dataPrivacyReviewSaasserviceSoftwareTokenTwitchUrheberrechtWarcraftWorld of Warcraft

Beliebte Beträge

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms

Legally compliant contract drafting for software development on no-code platforms
26. April 2025

No-code and low-code platforms enable start-ups and agencies to develop software and digital products quickly and without in-depth programming knowledge....

Read moreDetails

Automated pricing and dynamic pricing in e-commerce

automatisierte preisgestaltung und dynamic pricing im ee28091commerce 1
2. April 2025

In the digital economy, automated pricing and dynamic pricing strategies are now part of everyday life. Whether for online shopping,...

Read moreDetails

Growth hacking and viral marketing – legal requirements

growth hacking und virales marketing juristische anforderungen 1
1. April 2025

Growth hacking and viral marketing promise start-ups rapid growth and a wide reach with a low budget. In the digital...

Read moreDetails

Liability of website operators for user comments – When and how operators are responsible for their users’ content

Creating contracts with face models and voice models: A guide for the gaming industry
15. March 2025

Introduction The responsibility of website operators for user-generated content has become much more important in recent years, both in case...

Read moreDetails

AI editing of OnlyFans content & Instagram campaigns: Important legal tips!

ai generated g63ed67bf8 1280
23. February 2025

Copyright and original material Copyright regulations protect the intellectual property of those who create photo and video material. The OnlyFans...

Read moreDetails

Digitalization and contract law: Electronic signature in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation

Digitalization and contract law: Electronic signature in accordance with the eIDAS Regulation
3. March 2025

Introduction: Digitalization and modern contract law Advancing digitalization is changing all business processes, especially in the area of contract design....

Read moreDetails

Liability under Art. 82 GDPR for sending forged invoices!

Liability under Art. 82 GDPR for sending forged invoices!
17. February 2025

Recently, I have been able to successfully represent my clients in several similar cases that were affected by security breaches...

Read moreDetails

Right of reply on social media: Differences and comparison to press law

Right of reply on social media: Differences and comparison to press law
11. February 2025

The right of reply is a key instrument in the German legal system that enables those affected to respond to...

Read moreDetails

Schleswig-Holstein Higher Regional Court: Liability for falsified e-mails with invoices

E-invoicing obligation from 2025: BMF specifies requirements
5. February 2025

Recently, I have been working on a large number of cases involving hacked email servers and relevant financial amounts. Invoices...

Read moreDetails

5.0 60 reviews

  • Avatar Mikael Hällgren ★★★★★ vor einem Monat
    I got fantastic support from Marian Härtel. He managed to get my wrongfully suspended Instagram account restored. He was … Mehr incredibly helpful the whole way until the positive outcome. Highly recommended!
  • Avatar Lennart Korte ★★★★★ vor 2 Monaten
    Ich kann Herrn Härtel als Anwalt absolut weiterempfehlen! Sein Service ist erstklassig – schnelle Antwortzeiten, effiziente … Mehr Arbeit und dabei sehr kostengünstig, was für Startups besonders wichtig ist. Er hat für mein Startup einen Vertrag erstellt, und ich bin von seiner professionellen und zuverlässigen Arbeit überzeugt. Klare Empfehlung!
  • Avatar R.H. ★★★★★ vor 3 Monaten
    Ich kann Hr. Härtel nur empfehlen! Er hat mich bei einem Betrugsversuch einer Krypto Börse rechtlich vertreten. Ich bin sehr … Mehr zufrieden mit seiner engagierten Arbeit gewesen. Ich wurde von Anfang an kompetent, fair und absolut transparent beraten. Trotz eines zähen Verfahrens und einer großen Börse als Gegner, habe ich mich immer sicher und zuversichtlich gefühlt. Auch die Schnelligkeit und die sehr gute Erreichbarkeit möchte ich an der Stelle hoch loben und nochmal meinen herzlichsten Dank aussprechen! Daumen hoch mit 10 Sternen!
  • Avatar P! Galerie ★★★★★ vor 4 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns äusserst kompetent in einen lästigen Fall mit META betreut. Er war effizient, beharrlich, aber auch mit … Mehr uns geduldig. Menschlich top, bis wir am Ende Dank ihm erfolgreich zum Ziel gekommen sind. Können wir wärmstens empfehlen. Und nochmals danke. P.H.
  • Avatar Mosaic Mask Studio ★★★★★ vor 5 Monaten
    Die Kanzlei ist immer ein verlässlicher Partner bei der Sichtung und Bearbeitung von Verträgen in der IT Branche. Es ist … Mehr stets ein professioneller Austausch auf Augenhöhe.
    Die Ergebnisse sind auf hohem Niveau und haben die interessen unsers Unternehmens immer bestmöglich wiedergespiegelt.
    Vielen Dank für die sehr gute Zusammenarbeit.
  • Avatar Philip Lucas ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Wir haben Herrn Härtel für unser Unternehmen konsultiert und sind äußerst zufrieden mit seiner Arbeit. Von Anfang an hat … Mehr er einen überaus kompetenten Eindruck gemacht und sich als ein sehr angenehmer Gesprächspartner erwiesen. Seine fachliche Expertise und seine verständliche und zugängliche Art im Umgang mit komplexen Themen haben uns überzeugt. Wir freuen uns auf eine langfristige und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!
  • Avatar Doris H. ★★★★★ vor 10 Monaten
    Herr Härtel hat uns bezüglich eines Telefonvertrags beraten und vertreten. Wir waren mit seinem Service sehr zufrieden. Er … Mehr hat stets schnell auf unsere E-mails und Anrufe reagiert und den Sachverhalt einfach und verständlich erklärt. Wir würden Herrn Härtel jederzeit wieder beauftragen.Vielen Dank für die hervorragende Unterstützung
  • Avatar Philipp Skaar ★★★★★ vor 8 Monaten
    Als kleines inhabergeführtes Hotel sehen wir uns ab und dann (bei sonst weit über dem Durchschnitt liegenden Bewertungen) … Mehr der Herausforderung von aus der Anonymität heraus agierenden "Netz-Querulanten" gegenüber gestellt. Herr Härtel versteht es außerordentlich spür- und feinsinnig, derartige - oftmals auf Rufschädigung ausgerichtete - Bewertungen bereits im Keim, also außergerichtlich, zu ersticken und somit unseren Betrieb vor weiteren Folgeschäden zu bewahren. Seine Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit ist beeindruckend, seine bisherige Erfolgsquote = 100%.Ergo: Unsere erste Adresse zur Abwehr von geschäftsschädigenden Angriffen aus dem Web.
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●
  • ●

Video-Galerie

Marian Härtel - The lawyer with entrepreneurial expertise
Marian Härtel – The lawyer with entrepreneurial expertise
My principles as a lawyer
My principles as a lawyer
Legal protection for your business plan: What founders need to know
Legal protection for your business plan: What founders need to know
Social media accounts and imprint

Imprint obligation

11. April 2025

Most important points The imprint obligation requires that providers of business-related online services make certain mandatory information publicly available on...

Read moreDetails
Collecting society

Collecting society

16. October 2024
Stock corporation (AG)

Stock corporation (AG)

25. June 2023

Local court

25. June 2023
dora

DORA

28. June 2023

Podcast Folgen

Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

Leben als IT-Anwalt, Work-Life Balance, Familie und meine Karriere

25. September 2024

In dieser fesselnden Episode meines IT-Medialaw Podcasts teile ich, Marian Härtel, meine persönliche Reise als leidenschaftlicher IT-Rechtsanwalt. Ich erzähle von...

Web3, Blockchain und Recht – Eine kritische Bestandsaufnahme

Web3, Blockchain und Recht – Eine kritische Bestandsaufnahme

25. September 2024

  In dieser aufschlussreichen Episode des ITmedialaw-Podcasts wird ein tiefgehender Blick auf die Schnittstelle von Web3, Blockchain-Technologie und Recht geworfen....

Rechtliche Herausforderungen im Gaming-Universum: Ein Leitfaden für Entwickler, Esportler und Gamer

Was wird 2025 für Startups juristisch bringen? Chancen? Risiken?

24. January 2025

In dieser spannenden Episode des itmedialaw-Podcasts tauchen wir tief in die rechtlichen Entwicklungen ein, die die Startup-Welt im Jahr 2025...

Rechtskette beim Spieleentwickler

Rechtskette beim Spieleentwickler

19. April 2025

In dieser kurzen Episode diskutieren Anna und Max die Bedeutung der Rechtekette im Game Development – ein zentraler Aspekt für...

  • Home
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Agile and lean law firm
  • Ideal partner
  • Contact
  • Videos
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Contact
  • Leistungen
    • Support with the foundation
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Games law consulting
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
    • Investment advice
    • Booking as speaker
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Contract review and preparation
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Focus on start-ups
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus on start-ups
    • How can I help clients?
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Testimonials
    • Imprint
  • Videos
    • Video series – about me
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos on services
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Shorts
    • Third-party videos
    • Podcast format
    • Other videos
  • Knowledge base
  • Podcast
  • Blogposts
    • Lange Artikel / Ausführungen
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Labour law
    • EU law
    • Corporate
    • Competition law
    • Copyright
    • Tax
    • Internally
    • Other
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung